A beautiful terrarium evokes our memories of a lost paradise: lush jungles, moist tropical air, and rain forest by the ocean.
The secret is, you don’t need special terrarium supplies or kits to create a little living paradise in a glass jar. A trip to a yard sale and a walk in the woods will give you all the treasures needed to make your own magical terrarium.
In order to make a terrarium that looks natural and stays healthy with minimal care, let’s look at a few basic yet important considerations first-
There are two types of terrariums: open and closed, which will determine the choices of your terrarium plants.
Closed terrariums should be kept mostly in the shade. Moss, ferns, and any small plants found in the shaded forest floor will work great. Because of little moisture loss, the closed terrarium can stay alive and healthy for months with almost no maintenance. I made my closed terrarium ( the one in the photo above), and never had to open the jar in 4 months!
Open terrariums can be kept in the sun or shade. They are more like glass planters than a traditional “terrarium”. In addition to all the plants used in closed terrariums, you can plant orchid, any small indoor plants, etc. Even succulents can be used depending on the sun and shade requirements.
Materials and tools:
- large glass jars or vases: often yards sales or thrift stores will have vases or (affiliate link) glass cookie jars with lids like these.
- treasures found on a nature walk, such as moss, ferns, pebbles, seashells, branches, and some soil
Related Article: If you love indoor gardens, another easy way to grow beautiful indoor plants is to use just glass bottles and water.
Tutorial on how to grow beautiful indoor plants in glass bottles and water.
Let’s make a closed terrarium first using a large cookie jar.
Step 1: add some moist soil to the bottom of the jar.
Then a few rocks. If you could find one with some moss growing on it, you are lucky! 🙂
Step 2: add some plants, such as tiny ferns and moss.
Step 3: add some vertical elements, such as twigs and barks.
I found some with moss on them, so pretty!
Step 4: move things around until everything looks balanced.
It’s like creating a painting, or a bouquet. Step back and look at everything, shift things around until you are happy with how your terrarium looks!
Give everything a gentle mist, close the jar, and enjoy your little piece of tropical jungle paradise.
The open terrarium was made following the same steps.
I added some Sedum plants and a few seashells for different colors and textures.
The open terrarium needs to be misted once every couple of days.
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Happy creating! See you next week!
Ana Vukosavljevic
It turned out so pretty! I’m loving every single on of them. The first one is my favourite!
Shannon Morscheck
OoOoo So pretty! You did a great job on this!
Ruth Ridley
This is so cool!! Everything turned out so great!!
Brittany Wise
This is super adorable! I think a terrarium would be perfect for a new college grad who may be moving soon as a house warming gift! Great tutorial to explain it all!
Angel
Wait, they can actually stay alive for that long in a sealed jar? That’s wild! I’m going to make one this weekend!
Diana Lucia
Wow this looks so pretty!!
Ashley
This is the cutest idea!! This would actually be so cute in my living room! Can’t wait to make one!!
Deborah
Gads I hate to be one of those people that says ” That’s EXACTLY what I was going to say you should make!!” But I am – well a Fairie Garden was my second thought – LOL! Yours turned out beautiful!!
ananda
thank you deborah! a fairie garden would be lovely! =)
Rachel Ritlop
So gorgeous! Love this DIY, you did a great job!
Mira
Oh i didn’t know you can have a closed one! I hate bugs so I never like to plant anything in the house, but that i can do!
Terri Collins
Very Pretty! You are an inspiration!
I made one years ago. It had a small opening but no lid. I use a piece of plastic wrap and a rubber band to seal it. This kept in the moisture so I hardly ever had water it.
ananda
thank you so much terri for sharing your experience! =)
Sandra
Before adding soil, a bit of granulated charcoal and a layer of small pebbles on the bottom will prevent odors and ensure good drainage, especially if you are making a closed system.
ananda
thank you so much sandra for sharing this great tip!! =)